A mammoth-sized new national park is being created in Western Sydney. Meet Gulguer National Park.
The trouble with green space is that it becomes most valuable just after someone decides it would make an excellent housing estate. Gulguer National Park, a new nature reserve being created by the Minns Labor Government, is an increasingly rare case of land being valued for what it is, rather than what it could become.
The new national park sits west of Bringelly in Western Sydney and comprises an impressive 1100 hectares of bushland – that’s roughly the size of 1500 football (soccer) fields. The goal? Deliver a destination blending recreation, environmental conservation and Aboriginal heritage on the city’s growing western fringe.
Set to open within the next six months, Gulguer National Park will be an affordable natural playground for relaxing and appreciating local beauty. Walkers, wildlife photographers, families and mountain bikers are all counting it as a major win, along with nature lovers simply looking for room to breathe.
The reserve is arriving at a time when Western Sydney is undergoing rapid transformation, with major infrastructure projects like Western Sydney International Airport bringing new attention to the need for balanced growth.
Where is Gulguer National Park?
A section of the land proposed for restoration within Gulguer National Park.
Located in Western Sydney, the park is just a few kilometres west of Bringelly, near Greendale, and around a 40-minute drive from Liverpool. It will add roughly 700 hectares of new land to the existing environmentally protected areas at Bents Basin State Conservation Area and Gulguer Nature Reserve, spanning a total of 1100 hectares.
Why is it being created?
A place of Aboriginal heritage and for reconnecting with nature.
The Minns Labor Government is establishing Gulguer National Park for several reasons: to protect threatened wildlife species, preserve significant Aboriginal cultural artefacts and provide Sydneysiders with an expansive new space to reconnect with nature.
The reserve will safeguard important natural habitat for at least 28 threatened species, including the southern greater glider, powerful owl, giant burrowing frog, eastern coastal free-tailed bat and Cumberland and Dural land snails. In addition, it will provide greater protection for the critically endangered Shale Sandstone Transition Forest and Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest.
“It is part of our ongoing commitment to boost conservation in Western Sydney, to ensure our precious native creatures and plants exist here for generations to come," says Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Penny Sharpe.
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The national park will protect the habitats of species such as the powerful owl.
Admire native Australian plants such as the mountain devil flower.
Named after the Nepean River – a body of water spiritually significant for the Darug, Gandangara and other traditional owners of the Hawkesbury-Nepean basin –the park will also preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage sites including rock art, artefacts and shelters.
Beyond environmental and cultural preservation, Prue Car, Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney, says the park will create affordable and convenient opportunities for local residents to access green spaces.
“For too long, families in Western Sydney have missed out on access to outdoor spaces that other parts of the city take for granted," Car says.
“At a time when families are under pressure, this new National Park will give locals a world-class destination right in their own backyard."
When will Gulguer National Park open?
Remnant mature trees from cleared paddocks will provide a seed bank for rehabilitation.
According to the NSW government, Gulguer National Park is set to open in the next six months. If all goes to plan, that means full public access and new visitor facilities will be rolled out in early 2027.
There is no shortage of advice imploring us to spend more time in nature. Doctors prescribe it. Psychologists endorse it. Smartwatches guilt us towards it. The difficult part is actually finding somewhere close to home large enough to disappear into – yet Gulguer National Park promises exactly that.
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.
As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.
Slip, slop, slap.
And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.
Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.
1. Underwater worlds
Get a chance to swim with the locals.
There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.
Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.
Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.
2. Farm-to-table dining
Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)
Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.
The award-winning Potager Restaurant, part of The Hinterland Collection, is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.
Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House. This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.
3. Water wellness
Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)
You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.
4. Restorative seaside stays
Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.
The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.
While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.
5. Tasty drops
Join a Farm to Bottle tour. (Image: Salsingh Photography)
The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.
6. Rail trail adventures
Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.
Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.
7. Linger longer
Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.
Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.
Stay for longer and indulge in plat at Tweed Holiday Parks.
